Rug cleaning device



IMay 27,1941. s. ROSEN Em. 2,242,601

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Patented May 2 7, 1941 2,243,607 RUG CLEANING mivIoEl samuel Rosen and Benjamin M. mush,I hicago, lll.

Application ootober ze, less, serial No. 231x974 e claims.- (cl. -124) The present invention primarily `relates to a cleaning device and is particularly concerned with an improved portable device which maybe utilized for cleaning rugs, floors and the like, as'

well as for the finishing of floors as by oiling, waxing, etc.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cleaning device of the herein described type having a fountain wherein a cleaning fluid inthe fountain may be supplied to a fitting by means of a valve'controllable at the will of the operator, and in which the'valve arrangement is so constructed as tol enable its being turned upon its seat to euminote its be- 1 coming unseated or leaky due to any debris or material which might be deposited on the valve parts from the cleaning fluid.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means in such a device for obtaining an even distribution of the liquid lengthwise of the brush or other fitting used with the device.

A further object is to provide a device of the herein described type having a brush in which the liquid is distributed adjacent the forward tufts of the brush in order to permit using these tufts for spreading the liquid as it is applied, and to permit utilizing all the tufts of the brush for scrubbing action during the cleaning operation.

A still further object is to provide an improved device of the herein described type having a plurality of removably attachable fittings which may be selectively used with the device depending upon the type of liquid being utilized or the character of the work to be done.

'Still another object is to provide in a fountain device of the hereinA described type, improved stopper means for closing the lling inlet of the fountain, which stopper is adjustable to varyits effective diameter so that it will always tightly close the filling inlet.

Other objects and features of the invention will more readily appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a single embodiment thereof, and in which.:

Figure 1 is a side view of a device embodying the features of the present invention, the device used.

utilizing the squeegee for removing liquid which has been applied to the surface yto be cleaned;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the device including a longitudinal section through the same to show the cooperative relationship of` the various parts thereof;

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view'look'ing to.- wardsV-the fitting receiving head of the device, and showing the details of means for removably securing a fitting to the head;

Figure 6 is a. detailed view inelevation of the Ivalve mechanism for 'the control of liquid from4 the reservoir to the fitting;

' Figure 7 isa longitudinal section through a brush -tting for use in the device; and

Figure` 8f isv a similar view of 1a fitting which may be utilized for applying oil, polish and the like to the surface being worked upon.

' As shown' on the drawings: f

As illustrative of the present invention, the device is disclosedl as embodying a main reservoir I0 which is adapted to receive a suitable cleaning solution'or liquid to be utilized with the device.

This reservoir is formed by an elongate tubular member II which is preferably constructed Vof some light metallic material such as aluminum. vWhile it is preferred to construct this tube of light metal, it will of course be appreciated thaty other materials, particularly materials which are inactive to certain liquids which it might be 'desired to use in the device, may be This tube is closed at its upper end by a cap structure I 2 provided with an opening I3 adapted to make a slip joint connection with one end of the tube II. Of course, this joint may-be sealed in any suitable manner, as by soldering, brazing or otherwise, if desired.

'Ihe cap structure I2 has integrally formed at its upper end a projecting portion I4 which denes a socket I5 adapted to receive one end of a handle extension I6 therein.

The handle may be secured against removal from the cap structure by vmeans of a suitable pin or rivet I1. This 'handle is in general in substantially elongate alignment with the tube/` II, and at its outer end is deected as shown at I'Ia to form a convenient hand grip for the operator of the device.

Adjacently disposed to the portion I4 of the cap structure is an angularly disposed neck I8 whichdefines a tubular filling opening I9 through which liquid may be supplied to the reservoir. y

The filling opening is closed by a novel stopper or lplug 2.8. The ordinary stopper or screw plug, While it would close the nlllnl Opening, has been found to be unsatisfactory in a device of this type for the reason thatxthe fluid utilized for cleaning purposes has a tendency to form a deposit which would soon make a screwplug dilcult' to remove. Moreover this liquid has atendency to react on ordinary plugs to causethem to shrink land become loose.

" In order that the illling opening maybe easily closed 'and opened atall times and properly nt the opening withoutbecoming leaky, it is profor engaging with the end of the tubular member and seating thereon.

The closure also has secured to its under' surface a plug portion 24 adapted` to be inserted into the tubular portion |8 and engage the wall thereof.v This plug portion is preferably constructed of a compressible material, which may be rubber or other suitable material, and is secured to the disc 2| by means of a central screw 25. 'I'he head of this screw is separated from contact with the associated end of the plug portion by means of a washer 23.

It will be apparent'that with a construction just described, tightening or loosening of the screw 25 will tend to increase or decrease the diameter of the plug due to a variation in the compression of the material'. In other words, the outer surface of the plug portion may be more or less buckled in order to maine it fit more tightly or loosely in the filling opening. Thus, if the plug should for any reason become loose, it is simply necessary to tighten the screw 25 until the plug has a tight iit.

The lowermost end of the tube is likewise iitted with a closure structure 21 having a neck portion- 28 adapted to receive the other end of the tubev in' slip joint connection therewith. As in the case of the cap structure, the closure for the lower end may likewise be sealed at its use with the device, as will hereafter be explained morel'ully. I

It will be noted that the connection of the tube is substantially at the center of the head 23. 'I'he socket 38 is substantially closed at its bottom by a rear wall structure 3| having an opening 32 therein. At this opening, there is provided a` closure plate 33 which is adapted to be secured on the outer surface of wall 3| by suitable screws which may extend through openings 34 in the plate and threadedly engage the back wall 3|. 'I'his plate is preferably sealed against a gasket 35 disposed between the plate and the wall 3|.

On its inner surface, the .plate 33 is provided with an angularly disposed block 36 which may be integrally formed with the plate 33 or may be formed as av separate piece and secured to the plate. When formed as a separate piece, it is dev,ling the supply of fluid from the reservoir. Due

to the tendency of the liquid to form a deposit, there is less likelihood of the valve sticking against its seat or of the valve becoming unseated by an accumulation of the deposit on the valve seat.

As more clearly shown in Figure 6, the valve is provided with a stem 4| which is slidably supported in an inverted U-shaped bracket 42, the legs of the bracket being secured as by screws 43 to the block 36.

Adjacent the uppermost end of the bracket, there is provided a U-shaped stirrup 44 which formsan additional sliding support for the stem 4| and also forms an abutment for a pin 45 extending through .the valve stem above the stirrup. The valve is resiliently actuated to closed position by means of an expansion spring 46 which surrounds the stem and has its lower end engaging the pin 45 and its uppermost end engaging the upper end of bracket 42.

The stem 4| is connected by means of an extension 41 to a handle 48. This handle extends to theA exterior of the reservoir and is disposed adjacent the lower end of the handle I6 where it may be easily reached by the operator.

One end of the handle 48 is reciprocably disposed in a tubular passage 43 formed in the extension |4. The passage 48 also surrounds the adjacent end of the extension 41 which is connected to the handle 48.

With this' construction, it will be apparent that the valve 40 may be raised or lowered relative to its seat by means of the handle 48, thus controlling the passage of liquid from the reservoir through the passage 38. Moreover, in the event that the valve should not entirely seat due to an accumulation of material deposited from the liquid, or other debris which might be in the reservoir, the handle 48 may be swung through an arc cause partial rotations of the valve 40 and thus clean the valve seat and enable proper seating of the valve.

The head is adapted to have various ilttings secured thereon, depending upon the liquid and type of work to be done with the device.

For example, in utilizing the device for the cleaning of rugs or the like, the head may be fitted with a brush '50 which may comprisea back member 5| which may be constructed of wood or other suitable material. 'I'his back member is substantially rectangular in shape and adapted to flt within the socket 30. The back member may be retained against removal from the socket by means of arms 52 which are disposed at the ends ofthe head portion and may respectively be pivoted on screws 53 to the lower -edge of flange 29a which extends along one side of the socket 30. The'se arms are adapted to swing over the outer .end surfaces of the back member 5| and be removably engaged by a thumb nut 54 which is threaded onto a suitable screw 55, the screw 55 being receivable into an end slot 59 in the arm.

The back member 5I in this instance is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 51, which opens along one side in the under surface of the back member, as clearly shown in Figure 7. This groove is closed at its ends and provided substantially at its center with an inlet opening l which is adapted to communicate with the passage 38, when the fitting is secured within the head l29 of the device.

The side of the groove opening into the face of strip 59, this strip being constructed of suitable metal or other material. 'I'he strip 59 is provided with a series of spaced openings substantially throughout its length, these openings being of smaller diameter adjacent the inlet 58, and gradually increasing in size towards the ends of the groove 51. These openings form outlets for the liquid which is received within the groove 51 and are graduated so that the amount of liquid dispensed along the groove will be substantially the same at any point. In other words, at the central portion of the groove, where the liquid pressure is the greatest, the openings are made smaller so that substantiallythe saine amount of liquid will flow therethrough as through the larger openings near the ends of the groove where the pressure is less.

As shown in Figure 5, the liquid flowing through the openings 60 may pass downwardly between tufts 6I of bristles arranged in rows on either side of the strip 59. It will be noted that there are only two rows of tufts on the forward side of the strip 59, whereas there are three rows of tufts on the rear side of the strip. This unbalancing of the number 'of tufts or bristles on the front and rear sides of the strip is for a particular purpose which will later be explained in connection with the operation of'the device.

The head portion 29 is provided with a forwardly extending lip or flange 62 which is integrally formed with the flange 29a. This lip forms a bracket for supporting a strip of rubber 53 or other suitable material to form a squeegee. The strip is secured along one edge by means of a clamping strip 64 which may be secured at spaced intervals along its length by means of screws 65 to the lip 62 so as to cooperate with the lip in clampingly securing the innermost edge of the strip 63, leaving the outer edge free.

The fitting just described is primarily used for exercising a scrubbing and cleaning action on rugs, floors and the like. The device may also be used for other purposes such as oiling and waxing of fioors, and when so used is provided with a suitable fitting. Such a fitting is disclosed in Figure 8 and comprises a back portion 5I' of similar construction to the back 5l of the fitting previously described. A block 66 is secured to the under surface of the back 5l', this block being similarly fitted with a groove in its under surface and a perforated plate as in the case of the previously described fitting. Instead, however, of being provided with tufts or bristles, this fitting is arranged to have a cloth 61, which may be of carpet material, felt or other suitable materials, spread over its under surface and folded around the edges of the block 66.

For securing the cloth around its periphery to the block, there is provided a clamping ring 68. With this arrangement it is not necessary to provide an entire new fitting, when the cloth has become w'orn. By removing the worn cloth, a

y having tufts arranged for combing and spreading new cloth may be the block 55.

waxing. oiling and the like of floors or surfaces,

the proper liquid, ofcourse, being placed in the reservoir of the device for the particular results desired.

In using the device for the cleaning of ,carpets, rugs and the like, the reservoir is first filled with suitable cleaning liquid. The device is then disposed as shown in Figure 1, and the operator opens the valve by pulling up on the handle .49. 'I'his discharges la quantity of liquid evenly throughout the length of the fitting 55 onto the nap of the rug or carpet.

The device is then pulled by the operator in the direction of the lay of the nap. This operation causes the two rows of tufts of bristles on .the forward side of thefitting to gently comb the nap and distribute the cleaning liquid along the nap fibers without brushing the liquid into the base of the carpet or rug. The valve is conveniently controlled by the operator so as to discharge just the right amount of liquid to wet the nap. As soon as the liquid has been deposited as just described, the valve is permitted to close and the rug or carpet cleaned with a scrubbing action by moving the device back and forth. It will be noted that during this scrubbing action all of the bristles are being used.

At the completion of the scrubbing operation, the surplus liquid is removed by turning the device over so as to bring the squeegee or rubber strip 63 into contact with the surface being cleaned. By then drawing the device in the direction of the lay of the nap, the surplus liquid can be easily and effectively removed. By successive scrubbing and squeegeeing operations the entire surface to be cleaned is gone over. Y

When the device is to be used for polishing or oiling, the fitting as shown in Figure 8 is substituted for the brush type fitting and suitable liquid such as oil or wax placed in the reservoir.

As before, the correct amount of liquid can be fed to the fitting by actuating the valve by 'means Aof the handle 48.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides an improved cleaning device of the fountain type in the liquid prior to the brushing operation, when all the tufts of the brush are utilized for the scrubbing action; which is arranged to have a plurality of different heads selectively secured thereto, when utilizing different types .of liquid and when the device is utilized for different purposes; and in which improved means for closing the filling inlet of the fountain or reservoir are provided.

While, it is, of course, to be understood, that although we have described in detail a single embodiment of our invention, the invention is not to be thus limited, but only in so far as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a device of the character described, a

easily clamped in position on l handlehaving a head portion, a reservoir carrled by said handle. a iltting having an elon- 'gate interior chamber, a ow passageway connecting said chamber substantially centrally with said reservoir, a valve i'or controlling said passageway, said iltting having a row of aligned graduated outlet openings spaced longitudinally alongsubstantlally the length of the bottom of said chamber on opposite sides otsaid passage.-

way, and tufts of bristles laterally disposed in parallel rows on either side of said outlet openings, there being a greater number of tufts on -one side of said openings than. the other.

2. In a device oi the character described, a

handle having a transversely disposed head portion, areservoir carried by said handle, a iitting having an elongate interior chamber. a iiowpassageway connecting said reservoir with said chamber at a position substantially intermediate the ends of the chamber, a valve for con- 'trolling said passageway. and a row of spaced l the opposite ends of said chamber.

A3. In a device for scrubbing, dyeing and waxing surfaces, a handle having an enlarged hollow portion defining a reservoir for containing a suitable liquid :for the character of the work to be done with the device, closure means at the lower n end of the reservoir including a neck portion connected with the' reservoir and a head portion adapted to removably and interchangeably re- -ceive^ a plurality ot liquid applying fittings. a

partition separating said neck and'head portion, a tubular extension projecting into the neck portion above the partition to form a valve seat and denne a passageway connecting the reservoir with the head portion, a spring seated valve associated with said extension, a valve actuating member extending to the exterior of the reservoir,

bracket lmeans supported from said partition for guiding the valve movements and the associated end of theactuating member, and a hollow liquid applying tting removably associated with the head portion adapted to receive liquid from the reservoir through said passageway.

SAMUEL ROSEN.

BENJAMIN M. HULSH. 

